Project Kenya
May 25—June 4, 2007
A team of 22 NCCers are making the journey to Nairobi, Kenya to work with Pastor Chip Block and International Christian Centre. We will lead discipleship, small group, and leadership training for their young adults ministry and we will work with their worship and drama teams to do arts evangelism. Our primary mission is rooted in Luke 10:27—to love God and love others.
Latest From the Journal
Daily Challenge 4: Biblical Teaching
Heather Zempel · May 28, 2007 · 9:00 AM
This entry is identical to the Daily Devotional Challenge that Team Kenya is using during their trip. It is a study on the 10 Core Values of International Christian Center.
WE VALUE BIBLICAL TEACHING
Scripture Meditations
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Hebrew 4:12
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Journal Questions
- What do you value most about the Bible?
- How has God’s word been instrumental in preparing you, challenging you, and encouraging you on this trip?
Actions
Some suggestions for putting it into practice today:
- Pray Scripture over the people of ICC. Some examples of Scripture prayers include Ephesians 1:15-20, Ephesians 3:15-21, Philippians 1:9-11, and Colossians 1:9-14.
- Meditate on our trip mission verses: Luke 10:27 and John 13:34-35.
Daily Challenge 3: Genuine Worship
Heather Zempel · May 27, 2007 · 9:00 AM
This entry is identical to the Daily Devotional Challenge that Team Kenya is using during their trip. It is a study on the 10 Core Values of International Christian Center.
WE VALUE GENUINE WORSHIP
Scripture Meditations
John 4:23-24
But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.
Psalm 95:6-7
Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!
Journal Questions
- What does it mean to worship God in spirit and in truth? What are some practical ways that you can engage both your left and right brain in worship?
- How is listening to God’s voice related to worship?
Actions
Some suggestions for putting it into practice today:
- Prepare yourself for a new worship experience this morning. Spend some time in silence listening to what God might have to say to you.
- Introduce yourself to someone at ICC today. Tell them what you learned or appreciated from your experience worshiping with them today.
- Try a new worship practice today. The verse above references bowing down and kneeling. Consider some of the other worship expressions referenced in Scripture: lifting hands, dancing, singing, shouting, leaping, sitting in stillness, lying prostrate, etc.
- Spend some time worshiping with your teammates.
Nairobi’s Best Burrito
nathan. · May 27, 2007 · 6:35 AM
We’re all here, safe and sound, and adjusting to a bit of a time change (7 hours if you’re wondering). I’ll add more about this morning’s services in a bit, but first a couple quick thoughts from our trip here.
- What could be worse than a screaming kid on a seven-hour and forty-minute flight? Yep, two screaming kids. Brothers to be exact. But don’t worry, I think they only wailed for about five hours of the trip. God was testing our patience early.
- Zurich was beautiful and awesome, for the ten minutes I was there.
- Movie reviews from the flight: Bridge to Terabithia was good. Because I Said So was terrible.
- Swiss Airlines was amazing, although I’m still not clear why all the flight attendants were male.
Our accomodations here in Nairobi are great. I overheard Ryan and James in our bathroom this morning having an in-depth conversation surrounding the quote, “The hot water is hot.” (I guess to distinguish from the hot water that is not hot, which would then make it cold.)
I attended the two Frontrunnerz services this morning at ICC. I got a picture of what it means to worship in spirit and in truth. People passionately worshiping God with the Gospel going forth boldly. I particularly enjoyed the worship song in which the ENTIRE congregation participated in the bridge by singing the trumpet solo and pretended like we were playing trumpets with our hands. I also learned that some church things are universal like folding bulletins right before service and sound-checking right before service. Just like at NCC, the ICC/Frontrunnerz set-up team made it happen and are some of the unsung servants.
On a final note for today, I just finished an excellent chicken burrito here at Java (where they have wireless internet). Because nothing says Nairobi like a burrito.
Big God
Heather Zempel · May 27, 2007 · 5:46 AM
My entire room was awakened at 3am to the sounds of Africa. We were all ready to go on a safari right then to shoot some birds out of the tree near our dorm. Since the natural alarm wouldn’t let me sleep, I got up early to pray in the courtyard during the sunsrise. I was struck with the thought: nothing is too big for God. We say that and believe it, but I don’t feel like we really live like we believe it. I think we are going to face things over the next few days that will challenge us to live, respond, and truly believe that nothing is too big for God.
Fliven
Heather Zempel · May 27, 2007 · 5:43 AM
Lindsey Vogt invented a new word on the flight last night: fliven. It’s a combination of the word “flown” and “driven.” She wasn’t being creative; she was just tired. It’s my new favorite word. You can use it as a noun, verb, or adjective.
Team Kenya Arrives
Heather Zempel · May 27, 2007 · 5:24 AM
Team Kenya survived two very long flights and arrived safely in Nairobi last night at 6:30pm. We made it through customs with little trouble, except for the suspicion raised because of the very large keyboard that Lindsey V was toting behind her. We eventually got that through, as well.
Today, we arose bright and early to attend services at International Christian Center. Half of our team attended the main morning service and then went to work with New Life Home, who take in abandoned and unwanted babies in order to care for them and help them find adopted homes. The children range in age from 3 months to 2 years. Some of them are AIDS babies. Pat Thomas said, “It really left me speechless. I didn’t know what I was going to see, but to see the babies and get the tour and find out that some of them make it and some of them die. To hold the babies...it was a unique and joyful experience.” Pat mentioned she had to feed two babies at the same time. I’ve also heard that Kim and Steph were big hits. Kim was the victim of a throw-up.
Steph sang “If You Say Go” in the early service. I didn’t get a chance to hear it, but Chip said she was awesome and was disappointed that she had already left for New Life when the second service rolled around.
Our drama team performed the Parable of the Sower from Godspell at the Frontrunnerz youth service. Later, they met up with the ICC drama team to brainstorm, plan, and set a rehearsal schedule for our performances next weekend.
The rest of the crew attended the two Frontrunnerz services and met with the leadership, interns, and Frontrunnerz.
Now, we are having out at Java House enjoying some great authentic Kenyan food, like cheeseburgers and milkshakes. According to Chip’s daughter, this joint is owned by a New Yorker.
Daily Challenge 2: Relationships
Heather Zempel · May 26, 2007 · 9:30 AM
This entry is identical to the Daily Devotional Challenge that Team Kenya is using during their trip. It is a study on the 10 Core Values of International Christian Center.
WE VALUE RELATIONSHIPS
Scripture Meditations
Acts 2:44-46
And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.
Hebrews 10:24-25
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Journal Questions
- List three people on the team that you want to cultivate a relationship with during this trip. Write down one way you can encourage each person.
- What are some ways we can motivate one another to acts of love and good works?
Actions
- Get some sleep!
- Finish any other journaling assignments you have to this point.
Daily Challenge 1: Prayer
Heather Zempel · May 25, 2007 · 5:05 PM
This entry is identical to the Daily Devotional Challenge that Team Kenya is using during their trip. It is a study on the 10 Core Values of International Christian Center.
WE VALUE PRAYER
Scripture Meditations
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Never stop praying.
Luke 19:45
Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”
Matthew 7:7
Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 18:19
I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.
Journal Questions
- What does it mean to “never stop praying?” What are three things you will do on this trip to implement that?
- Why did Jesus throw out the moneychangers? Is there anything in my life that is distracting me from the priority of prayer? Am I doing anything that hinders others from praying? How can I make prayer a priority on this trip? What is one practical thing I can do to help others make prayer a priority on this trip?
- Write down three things you are praying for on this trip.
Actions
Pick at least one of the following to do today.
- Pray with one or two other people and “agree” with one another about your prayer requests for this trip.
- Talk with others about how they can help you value prayer and how you can help them value prayer.
ICC Core Values and the Daily Challenge
Heather Zempel · May 25, 2007 · 5:00 PM
We are on our way to Nairobi! Each day, we will be challenged as a team by Scripture readings, journaling exercises, and action steps as directed by our Daily Devotional Guide. We are using the Ten Core Values of International Christian Center as our framework. Every day, we will consider a different core value. I will post the notes here so that you can follow along with us.
Meet the Bloggers
Heather Zempel · May 25, 2007 · 8:42 AM
The past couple weeks have been filled with prayer and preparation information, but I know that the blog is now being visited by the extended Team Kenya. I’d like to welcome all the friends, family, and NCCers that are joining us as we embark on this journey. Thank you for supporting us, praying for us, and encouraging us.
I thought I should probably introduce the bloggers who will be bringing you the play-by-play over the course of this trip. You can tell who is writing what by looking at the name underneath each blog post.
Nathan Gonzales
Also known in the blog world as nathan. (with the ever important period on the end), Mr. Gonzales is a zone leader at National Community Church, where he casts vision for and provides pastoral care for several small groups and small group leaders. He masterminded the zonegathering.com small group blog and will be teaching the ICC young adults ministry about communicating, leading, and creating community through blogs. He is married to the even more talented Heather Gonzales, who also serves as a zone leader. I can’t imagine being on a trip like this without the Gonzaleses by my side. Nathan’s posts will be easily spotted by his sharp wit.
Heather Zempel
Yeah, that’s me. I have the amazing privilege of serving as the discipleship pastor at National Community Church and the leader of this incredible team. I am married to the wise and talented Ryan Zempel, who is serving as my co-leader for this adventure. If your kid gets eaten by a lion, I am the one to shoot. Okay, I am not as funny as nathan.